Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has described his side's Premier League win over rivals Arsenal as "very important" in their quest for Champions League football.

Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon were both on the scoresheet at White Hart Lane as a 2-1 victory moved Spurs back into third place in the table.

"That was very important," Villas-Boas told BBC Sport. "It meant a lot for our fans - we wanted to get this one over Arsenal and create a distance between us.

"We will try and push on and qualify for the Champions League. It's not over until the last game of the season.

"It's a good, important win against a top club who are fighting for the same objectives."

The victory has seen Tottenham open up a seven-point gap over fifth-placed Arsenal.